Brick lifting apparatus



April 10, 1%56 A. s. MACKENZIE BRICK LIF'TING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 23, 1952 Q 7 /\w mw,%\ T Q\ P my INVENTOR firm raw 5.Mackenzie BY W1 m. aim- ATTORNEY April 10, 1956 Filed Jan. 23, 1952 A.MACKENZlE BRICK LIFTING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Qmw SQJMQC/rQ'IZIZ m.nm

dTTORNEY C INVENTOR April 1956 A. s. MACKENZIE 2,741,506

BRICK LIFTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 23, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 fina'rew 5Mac/renal BY Qm TTORNEY United States Patent O ERICK LE TING APPARATUSAndrew S. Mackenzie, St. Paul, Minn.

Application January 23, 1952, Serial No. 267,877

6 Claims. (Cl. 294-62) This invention relates to an improvement in bricklifting apparatus, and pertains more particularly to a device forlifting bricks or other similar objects that have been stacked accordingto a simple plan presently in widespread use. The instant application isa continuation-inpart of my co-pending application, Serial No. 230,134filed June 6, 1951, now Patent No. 2,635,912, dated April 21, 1953.

An object of the present invention lies in the provision of an apparatuscapable of engaging on opposite sides of a series of rows of bricks andacts to clamp the bricks together so that they may be lifted in unison.Other bricks overlie the rows of bricks being clamped and thereforepermit a series of superimposed rows of bricks to be simultaneouslylifted. The present device is particularly useful in conjunction withloading and unloading bricks or blocks on trucks and truck trailers,through the use of a hoisting apparatus of the type disclosed in anapplication for patent, Serial No. 119,651, filed October 5, 1949.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the provision of aclamping device which is capable of clamping rows of bricks on oppositesides or" the clamping means. In other words, the clamping means may bepositioned in a space between rows of bricks and may act outwardlyagainst the bricks on each side of the clamping means to clamp the rowsof bricks againstother cooperable structures.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of an elongatedclamping means designed to fit between two spaced rows of bricks anddesigned to include projectable elements which move laterally againstthe rows of bricks. In other words, in effect the clamping means expandsin width when desired to engage against the bricks and to clamp themagainst other spaced clamping members.

A further-object of the present invention lies in the provision ofclamping means which is actuated by flexible connecting means controlledby the lifting apparatus. Prior to the actual lifting operation, theflexible means acts to expand the clamping means against the rows ofbricks and to hold the clamping means in this position during theraising and lowering of the bricks.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of structurefor preventing outward lateral displacement of any of the rows when thebricks are subjected to clamping pressure.

The invention also has for an object to provide sufficient clampingforce so that there is practically no danger of any of the bottom bricksslipping from the pile.

The invention further contemplates the provision of structure wherebythe various clamping members are actuated in a manner to exert whatmight be termed individual or independent forces on the bricks, wherebycompensation is made for discrepancies in alignment due to improperstacking and of course to difierences in manufacturing tolerances of thebricks.

' These and other objects and novel features ofmyin- 2,741,506 at nt dAr .10, .9

2 vention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the followingspecification and drawings.

In the drawings forming a'pa'rt of my specification:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a pile of bricks showing the brickclamping means used in con unction therewith.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of a portion of the pile of bricks andthe'clamping units showing the elevating mechanism disengagedfrom' theclamping units.

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevaticnal view of a portion of themechanism'showingthe brick clamping units in brick clamping position.Figs. 4 and 5 are views taken in the direction of line 5-5'of Figure 6,the central dust plate having been removed for the sake of visibility ofthe parts beneath. While Figure 5 represents the position of the variousparts shown in Figure. 6 as they appear in clamping relation, it is tobeunderstood that Figure 4 represents the position of, these samepartsbefore a clamping force has been applied. T

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 6'-6 ofFigure 5.

The device is best equipped to handle generally a rectangular pile ofbrick or other similar block material, which has as its lowest layer aseries of rows of brick in spaced relation supporting the remainder ofthe pile. For example in Figure 2 'of the drawings it will be noted thatthe rectangular stack of bricks indicated in general by the letter A issupported by longitudinal rows of bricks indicated by the numerals 10,11 and 12. Each of these rows of bricks comprises two rows arranged insurface contact'and located at substantially the center of the bricks 13of the next adjacent row. As a result of this construction generallyrectangular passageways 14 are provided between the brick rows 13, i1and 12 and the bricks of the lowermost tier of the rectangularlyarranged block overhang" the end rows 16 and 12 to providelongitudinally extending spaces 15 beneath the last rows of bricks ofthe series.

In order to pickup. the bricks and to carry them while still retainingthe stack formation, I provide a series of elongated clampingunitsindicated in general by the letter B. These clamping units are designedto extend through the longitudinal-passages 14 beneath the stack ofbricks A. To absorb the 'reaction 'of'the clamping units B, there areemployed outer members designated generally by the letter C which extendbeneath "the'edges of the stack of bricks in the spaces'1 5. Both'theclamping units B and the reaction'members C, which latter of coursecooperate in the performing of the clamping function, are of sufficientlength 'to extend completely through the stack of bricks and to projectslightly to either side thereof as best viewed'in-'Figure 1.

Describing the clamping units B, these units include a basic frameworkstructure or skeleton 16 comprised of a pair of elongated sidebars 17and 19 retained in spaced parallelism by end partitions 20, spacedintermediate partitions 21, and preferably a dust plate or protetcor 18.(See- Figure 6 The surmounted plate 13 is intended to shield thehereinafter described movable parts from any foreign matter that mightdrop from the bricks above. Each end partition 20 is provided with apair of apertures 22 and 23, for the accommodation of a pair of sheaves24' and 25 which are pivotally mounted on offset axes 26 and 27 for apurpose later to be explained. The intermediate portions21 are providedwith apertures 29 and 30 therethrough to slidably support a pair ofmovable rods 31and 32. Thus, it' will'be observed that the rods 31 and32. may be moved longitudinally relative to the spaced bars 17 and 19.

As best seen; from, Figures. 4. and 5, remembering thatthesnfiglll'esshow only a fragment of the complete units V stack A isnot uniformly distributed. a a

' B, the rod 31 carries a series of spaced, fixed collars 33 and 34thereon, one of each being shown in these two figures, and the rod 32similarly carries a corresponding number of collars designated by thenumerals 35 and 36. Interposed between the various collars 33, 34, and35, 36 and circumscribing the rods 31 and 32 are springs 37 and 39abutting the collars 33 and 35 at one end and a pair of cam blocks 46and 41 at the other end. The cam blocks 40 and 41 are each provided witha passage of slightly larger diameter than the rods 31 and 32 so thatthe cam blocks are fully slidable upon said rods.

Afiixed to, or integral with, the I-beams or bars 17 and19respec'tively, are bearings'42 and 43 equipped with bifurcated endswhich are drilled to accommodate pivots 44 and 45, thereby serving aspivot supports for bell crank or angular levers 46 and 47. .Hingedlyconnected at the distal ends 49 and 56 of the levers 46 and 47 areclamping plate members 51 and 52, whereas the opposite distal ends 53and 54 of the levers 46 and 47 serve as followers for the cam blocks 46and 41, 'said cam blocks being notched or cut out at 55 and 56 for thereception of the leverends 53 and54. Stated otherwise, the ends of thenotches 55 and 56 form shoulders or cam surfaces for the engaging of thelever ends 53 and 54. As best learned from Figure 6, the lower face ofthe cam block 40 is notched, and the upper face of the block 41 isnotched,

thereby permitting the levers 46 and 47 to cross each other for apurpose best reserved for full comprehension when later considering theoperation of the apparatus.

This arrangement of course places the rods 31, 32 and the cam blocks'i'll, 41 at different elevations, as will be clearly seen from anexamination of Figure 6.

For transmitting moving force to the rods 31 and 32, I secure the endsof a cable 57 to the ends of the rods, as by means of set .screws or bybrazing. Each cable 57 'is directed about the sheaves 24 and 25 into avertically extending relation and is trained over a pulley 59 of apulley block 66; The pulley block 60 is in turn provided with an eye 61by which it may be lifted, a hook 62 suspended at the end of a chain 63being readily engageable with said eye 61. The upper end of each chain63,

7 there being one at each end of each unit B, connects with a cross arm64 at each side of the stack of bricks A, the cross arms being suspendedby lifting cables 65 which are connected to a hoist (not shown). It willbe appreci- Beneath the cross arms 64 are additional cross arms 66,these being coiled springs 67 for supporting the unloaded lower arms 66(referring to the position assumed in Figure 2) from the upper arms 764. Also extending between the cross arms 64 and 66 is a pair of studelements 69,the lower ends of which are made fast to the arms 66,whereas the upper end portions extend freely through a pair of apertures79, said upper end portions having nut members 71 threaded thereon in anupwardly displaced 'relation to the arm 64 when the arm 66 is freelysupported by the spring 67 without elongation thereof. .The exactfunctioning of the studs 69 and nuts.

'71 will be made more apparent hereinafter, although it may be stated atthis point that thestuds 69 actually shoulder: the entire brick loadduring any elevation of i the bricks A.

Two different types or designs of brackets 72 and 73 are renderedslidable on the cross arm 66 by virtue of crosswise apertures 74 and 75through each bracket, these apertures accommodating the arm 66. Eachbracket 72 and 73 is'provided'with a thumb screw 76 which threadsthroughthe forward side of each bracket into engagement with the arm 66 to makethe brackets fast relative to the arm 66 once said brackets have beenindividually adjuste into an optimum position. 5

The brackets 73 and 72 are both designed to transmit respectivelylifting force from the arm 66 to the units and CI Accordingly, thebrackets 72 are fabricated with two rectangular apertures 77 extendingtherethrough. The extreme ends of the bars 17 and 19 are notched at 79adjoining their lower surfaces in order that the brackets 72 may beplaced thereover with the units B resting on the ground or othersupporting surface 73 without interference from said ground orsupporting surface. Since the members C are of relatively simpleconstruction, being.

generally channel shaped and provided with projecting ends 89 notched attheir bottoms Sit, the'brackets 73 need have only one rectangularaperture '82 each for engagement and support of the end 39. p

The operation of the apparatus is'fairly simple and should be apparentfrom the following operational sequence. Preparatory to beginning anypart of the actual passages 14 and spaces 15, and the cables 65 arelowered so that the lower cross arm 66 suspends the, brackets 72 and '73just above the unit s B and C,Whereupon the brackets may be laterallymoved into superjacency with the units B and C. Further lowering of thecables 65 may then be made until the brackets 72 and 73 rest upon theground 78 or are slightly spaced thereabove. The several brackets maythen be easily moved so that the apertures 77 and 82 thereof are inregistry with the ends of the members 17, 19 and ends 843, whereupononce having made the desired engagement of the brackets 72 and 73'yvithsaid ends, the thumb screws 76 are firmly tightened against the arm 66.Of course, it will be under stood that the members C should bepositioned closely adjacent or contiguous the outer rows 10 and 12 ofbricks to thereby minimize or eliminate any lateral shift ing of theserows during the clamping phase about tobe described. 7

During the initial raising of the arm 64 by means of the cables65, itwill be apparent that the springs 67 cause a corresponding raising ofthe lower arm 66 to thereby bring the members 17, 19 and C into anabutting relation with the underside of the next to' bottom tier ofbricks, much like the relative positioning of the parts pictured inFigure 3, but as yet without the plates 51 and 52 being urged intoclamping position." From the moment the upward movement of the brackets72 and 73 is arrested by the above mentioned abutting contact, thesprings 67 thereafter startfto yield, permitting further upward movementof the cross arm 64 but not the arm 66, since the nuts 71 on the studs79 are still spaced above the arm 64. It is during this stage that thechains 63 exert a tensional pull upon the rods 31 and 32 via thepulleyblocks '60 and the cables 57. .Prior to this particular portion ofthe operationthe parts remain in the relative positions shown inFigure'4, but the upward pull on the various cables 57 willslide therespective rods 31 and 32 outwardly to cause the collars 33 and 35 to,compress the springs 37 and 39 against the, cam blocks 40 and 41. The

compression of the springs 37 and 39 into the condition 7 shown in Figue 5 of course causes the blocks illand 41 to cam against the ends 53 and54 of the levers 46 and 47, these bell crank levers 4-6 and 67 in turnurging the clamping plates 51" and 52 in opposite directions intoclamping engagement with the various bricks each plate is directedagainst. From Figure 1 it will be seen that each rod 31 or 32 isresponsible for actuating four clamping plates, although any practicalnumber could be used, and that each rod 31 and 32- exte'nds half thelength of each unit 13. 'The two rods 31 and the two rods 32 of eachunit B, which rods are in axial alignment with each other, move inoutward or opposite directions from a central inner point, one rod 3iand one rod 32 being moved by one cable 57and the other rods 31 and 32of the same unit B being moved in an opposite direction by a secondcable 57. The total number of pairs of cables 57 required is obviouslymultiplied by the number of units B that are employed.

In devising the pr ctical embodiment of my invention selected forpurposes of illustration, 1 have endeavored to secure as much leveragefrom the levers 45 and 47 as is possible with the limited spaceavailable, and in this connection, only hereinbefore briefly commentedupon, it is to be observed that the arms of the levers carrying the ends53 and :74 across each other at different elevations to provide anenhanced leverage. Thus, the right hand cam block 3 is the actuator forleft hand lever 47, and the left hand block 43 is the actuator for theright hand lever 46, as viewed in Figures 4 and 5.

Cognizance of a further feature should be had at this .'me, the featureconcerning the individual and automatic co. pensation afiorded eachclamping plate 51 or 52 of he entire series. By employing a plurality ofsprings 7 and 39 (Figure 1), it will be appreciated that the egr c ofcompression may vary between any two springs,

urged tightly into engagement with its associated brick. For example,should one brick be quite near one of the clamping plates, then thatplate will not have to travel as far as some of the others will with theconsequent result that the spring 37 or 39 controlling that plate willhe severely compressed.

nether thing that perhaps may be commented upon at this time is the factthat the members C absorb effectively the various force componentsproduced by the p ates 51 and 52, the outer rows 19 and 12 being urgedthereagainst by the plates 51 and 52 carried as part of the units l3within the passageways 14. Thus the members C serve in the capacity orreaction members.

Continuing the description of the operational sequence, the continuedraising of the arm 64 after contact of the arm 64 with the nut members71 will then cause the lower cross arm 6-6 to be lifted by means of thestuds 59. Because of the direct and inflexible mechanical connectionexisting between this arm 66 and the members l7 and 19, as well as themembers C, by way of the brackets 72 and 73, any lifting of the arm 66will cause the members 17, 1.9 and C to lift against the bottom side ofthe second tier, to thereby elevate the entire stack of bricks A. Duringthis last mentioned phase, th arm 64 remains relatively displaced fromthe arm 66 to thereby maintain a full clamping action of the clampingplates 51 and 52 against the bricks they have initially been urged intoengagement with.

When the elevated pile A is to be set down, a reverse procedureautomatically akes place. However, it should perhaps be noted that thecollars 34 and 36 urge the cam blocks 4% and ll from the position shownin Figure 5 to tha shown in Figure 4, thus releasing clamping pressureof the plates 51 and 52 from the bricks.

In accordance with the patent statutes, 1 have described the principlesof construction and operation of my brick lifting apparatus, and while Ihave endeavored to set .nd that any particular plate 51 or 52 will beassuredly forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have itunderstood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of thefollowing claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

1 claim:

1. A brick lifting apparatus for use between rows of bricks, theapparatus including elongated supports designed to extend between saidrows of bricks in parallel relation, clamping means supported by saidelongated supports and engageable with the rows of bricks on oppositesides of said supports, clamping means actuating members slidablysupported upon each of said supports for individually operating theclamping means on each side of said supports, a flexible connectionconnecting the members on each support for actuating these memers inunison, a pulley through which the intermediate part of each flexibleconnection extends, means connected to said supports for lifting thesame, an arm supported above said lifting means, means connecting saidpulleys to said arm to actuate said clamping means upon upward movementof said arm, and means connecting said lifting means to said arm forraising said lifting means after said pulleys have been lifted apredetermined distance.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 and in which the elongated supportsare adjustable with respect to said lifting means for movement a greateror lesser distance apart.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 and in which the lifting meansincludes an arm, and members adjustable longitudinally of said arm andengageable with said lifting means.

4. A brick lifting apparatus for use between spaced rows of brickssupporting a stack of bricks, the apparatus including an elongatedsupport designed to extend through each space between the spaced rows ofbricks and to project on both sides of the stack, clamping means on saidsupport designed to engage against the spaced rows of bricks, atransverse arm designed to extend along each said side of the stack ofbricks, means adjustably supported on each said arm designed todetachably secure the arms to the ends of the elongated supports, andhoisting means connected to said arms.

5. The structure described in claim 4 and in which the adjustablysupported means are slidable longitudinally of said arms.

6. The structure described in claim 4 and including means detachablyconnected to said hoisting means and to said clamping means foractuating said clamping means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,094,762 Strickland Oct. 5, 1937 2,250,273 Priester July 22, 19412,527,103 Noaclr et a1. Oct. 24, 1950 2,530,375 Cartwright Nov. 21, 19502,635,912 Mackenzie Apr. 21, 1953

